Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRSV)
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Chapter 47Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Verse 2Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. Verse 3Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Verse 4Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Verse 5Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. Verse 6He said to me, "Mortal, have you seen this?" Then he led me back along the bank of the river. Verse 7As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. Verse 8He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Verse 9Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. Verse 10People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. Verse 11But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. Verse 12On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."
Devotion
For the prophet Ezekiel, God has the power to transform desolate wilderness into a land of unimaginable abundance. Can we see a place in our lives where there is a wilderness? Can we imagine God recreating it? Can our faith be renewed that we might once again praise God? Can our hearts be healed that we might once again allow God’s love to move us into the world to be bread broken for others, servants to one another? The prophet Ezekiel says, “YES!”
Prayer
Steadfast God, we trust that you can recreate us during our Advent journey. Use us as you will. Amen.